Delta postcard about free airline tickets & hotel
The strategy has evolved again (maybe just experimenting) by sending out a Delta Airlines postcard. (See other posts about previous mailings here.) Please comment if you received one with your location.
See below for the postcard images and text.
The postcard says that they have been trying to contact you about free round trip tickets and a hotel stay you have won. Once you go to the sales pitch and sign up, you book through a fulfillment company. I’ve seen two lately: Universal Travel Vacations (website, BBB report) or the The Vacation Station (website, BBB report TN, BBB report SC)
Also, here is another blogger with information about a postcard that looks like it is from Southwest Airlines: http://talestoldfromtheroad.com/2011/11/02/consumer-alert-southwest-escape-offer-grounded/
I have found the answers to this mystery thanks to the great work of the folks at BBB in Tucson, AZ:
http://www.bbb.org/tucson/business-reviews/travel-clubs/southwest-travel-club-in-tucson-az-20007983
http://www.bbb.org/tucson/business-reviews/prize-promotions/patterson-bell-in-tucson-az-20027549
An actual story: http://www.kgun9.com/features/investigations/122887609.html
NEW video from INSIDE THE SALES PRESENTATION: http://www.9news.com/news/article/362984/339/Companies-behind-free-airline-ticket-letters-
Great reporting from WKMG: http://www.clickorlando.com/news/Free-travel-offer-mystifies-consumers/-/1637132/15701330/-/8s7gus/-/index.html
Video from inside the first ever video encounter I’ve seen: http://www.kboi2.com/news/local/Travel-service-vacation-smart-international-us-airlines-vacationanddeals-com-175915611.html?tab=video&c=y
If you would like to read more about these folks, visit this post. You can read all about the sales presentation, the free offer and the what you get for your vacation membership club cash outlay.
ADVICE:
When I read this, it was just too good not to post. It’s from the Nebraska Attorney General (page 13 printed/page 15 PDF).
Look for the warning signs that may indicate a scam:
- Benefits sound too good to be true.
- The company has no permanent address and all presentations are held in rented conference rooms.
- They can’t, or won’t, provide you with references.
- They don’t want to give you an itemized list of what’s included in your trip until you have already signed the contract.
What you should do if you suspect a scam:
- Don’t sign any contract during the travel presentation. They are high-pressure events intended to stir the emotions of an exotic vacation.
- Contact a respected travel agent in town, give them the specifics of the trip, and ask if that seems consistent with industry pricing.
- Shop around. Compare your trip with other travel packages being offered to seniors.
Here is Michigan’s Attorney General’s advice:
http://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,1607,7-164-34739_20942-44762–,00.html
Here is the of the postcard:
DELTA / FLY AWAY ESCAPE
Dear x,
Congratulations! You have been selected to receive 2 Round Trip Airfares to anywhere Delta flies in the continental USA. Call within 48 hours. You will also receive as a bonus 3 day 2 night hotel stay!
We have been trying to contact you! (This is not a timeshare or land sale offer)
Toll free 1-800-313-1263 (or other numbers)
RSVP xxxx (your ID in their database) MON-SUN 9am to 8pm
Fine print: Certain restrictions apply. Call for details of participation. This offer is not sponsored by or affiliated with Delta Airlines but they are a major supplier. Taxes, processing fees and reservation fees are the responsibility of the recipient. Offer void where prohibited by law. Not applicable to Alaska or Hawaii.
[UPDATE 12/2/2011] Apparently Delta isn’t the only carrier they are testing out in their new postcards — Southwest Airlines is targeted as well: http://talestoldfromtheroad.com/2011/11/02/consumer-alert-southwest-escape-offer-grounded/
Here is what would happen if you did call:
I received a different card but very similar.
Name “Fly Away Promotion” 2013 Baloons
Phone to be called:
1 888 778 8632
Post card for Travelocity for 2 round-trip airline tickets on Southwest, Jet Blue, United, or “comparable airline” hotel, auto, and $50 hotel gift card. I’m in Renton, WA.
Received the US Airways/Delta postcard April 6 2013. Permit No. 4848 Los Angeles. Phone 888 632-3927. Return address stamp: Welcome Center 920X Hampshire Rd. Thousand Oaks, CA
New twist!!! Received a “travel check voucher” that can be redeemed for a certificate for 2 round trip airline tickets. The catch: the check must be certified to be valid. Called 866-989-2508 and I must attend a presentation with Direct Vacation Deals. Same scam, different approach. This was postmarked Phoenix, AZ.
I received the Delta Fly Away promotion today in Vandalia, Ohio.
Received Delta postcard 4-15-2013
Permit San Diego CA
I received a Delta Postcard in Houston, TX on 15 April. However it is a little different than the picture above. On the front balloons with “2013” have been added. The wording on the back says, “In celebration of our new year packages we’ve selected you to receive 2 round trip airfares etc.
Toll Free # is 1-888-778-8632
Postage meter: Las Vegas NV Permit No 2736
Received mine yesterday April 15 in Portland, ME. Balloons on front with “2013” as well. 2 round trip airfares and if i call within 48 hrs i get a 3 day 2 night hotel stay. (At major brands) Toll free # 888-989-3648. Same Las Vegas permit no. 2736. I believed it to be a scam. Glad I googled it.
I also received a Delta Fly Away Promotion card today April 16, 2013. Two round trip airfares to anywhere in the contiguous United States also 3 day 2 nigh hotel at major Brand. 1-888-211-0378. Beavercreek Ohio.
Fly Away Promo post card with 2013 baloons and plane received today in Dayton, OH. Post mark Las Vegas, NV
I received a postcard from “Delta” today, 4/16/13 – Houston TX, postmarked Las Vegas NV. Picture on the back has the Delta logo and the picture of the bottom of a flying airplane. Balloons on front with “2013″ as well.
The postcard states…
In celebration of our new year packages we’ve selected you to receive 2 round trip airfares to anywhere in the contiguous United States–good for the next 12 months.
Call within 48 hours and receive a 3 day 2 night hotel stay at major brands.
To claim this special offer, simply cal and mention your promo code
Call toll free 1-888-639-6990
Promo code DLHU-0xxx
Mon – Fri 9 am – 9 pm Sat 10 am – 4 pm EST
Received the delta offer today here in Turner Me. Tried calling the number, not in service. 888-989-3648 not in service. Promo code DLNH-0xxx.
Received one with the Delta logo at the bottom, a plane on the right with balloons on the left that say 2013. Almost called the number, then googled and found this site. Put the card in the trash. Thanks for the wise advice.
Received the Delta card as described for my husband Douglasville, Ga.
Number to call 1-888-989-1663
I received a similar postcard from Delta stating I received two roundtrip airfare and if I called with in 48 hours I would also receive a three day two night hotel stay at major brands.
I’m in Tampa Florida
The American Airlines version has arrived in the Boston suburbs. The number is 1-888-939-3648.
I got one on 4/29/2013 from Expedia.
I’m from Princeton, KY.
I received a post card saying that I won airlines tickets from Delta. April 23, 2013. The phone number says that the number cannot be completed as dialed.
Received the US Airways/Delta postcard April 2013. Phone 8883421231. Return address stamp: Welcome Center 920X Hampshire Rd. Thousand Oaks, CA 91361
Got the Delta Fly Away Promotion postcard 5/6/2013, from Las Vegas, NV. Phone 1-888-639-6990
I hope these people get stripped of their money “Ocean’s Eleven” style.
Got one in the mail today. 5/6/2013. Should I turn it over to sheriff dept? We have had too many elderly scammed here.
I just received a card with a 747 aircraft on the front. “Expedia” is above the plane! The card also mentions “southwest airlines” and “Marriott” hotel. I called the 1-888-266-5503 on the card and spoke with “Carla”. After she explained what the deal was I kindly replied “no thank you”. She then stated “Then what the hell you call for?” and hung up on me! I called back and asked for her supervisor. “Jordan” came on the line claiming he was the supervisor and stated that I was lying about “Carla’s” remark to me! I told him I will be contacting “Expedia” …..he did not care.
Hey, Expedia, Southwest Airlines and Marriott, I have used you many times in the past, i am a business owner and I have a VIP MEMBERSHIP! Guess how this is going to work out for you?
I forgot to say I’m in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Received one from Delta Airlines 5/13/2013 in Omaha,NE — It reads:
“In celebration of our new year packages we’ve selected you to receive 2 round trip airfares to anywhere in the contuous United States – good for the next 12 months!
Call within 48 hours and receive a 3 day 2 night hotel stay at major brands.
To claim this special offer, simply call and mention your promo code
Call Toll Free 1-888-639-6990”
Fine Print: All trademarks & servivce marks are the porperty of their respective owners. Offer void where prohibited by law. All components of this offer are fulfilled by a THIRD PARTY. Certain restrictions apply. Recipient responsible for all applicable taxes & fees. Please Call for details.
Return Address from Las Vegas, NV Permit NO. 2736
*Contiguous United States
**Service marks are the property
Just received the Delta card in today’s mail. Big difference from the descriptions above are no balloons, and the statement says “In celebration of our new year packages we’ve selected you to receive 2 round trip airfares to anywhere in the contiguous United States–good for the next 12 months!” It also uses a local phone number.
Got one today 5/13/2013 says, “powered by priceline.com partner network” above a picture of a 747 and “the hotel card $100”, then “CONGRATULATIONS! You will receive 2 round-trip tickets on Southwest, Jet Blue, United or a comparable airline, plus a 3-day/ 2-night weekend getaway at a hotel such as Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton… See back”. On the back it says pretty much the same thing, then “CALL TOLL FREE 1-888-639-6990 PROMO CODE SEA-0xxx”. I have to assume the “Taxes & registration fees and/or processing fees are pretty hefty. Then I wonder what the “such as” hotels are like that the “comparable airline” would fly you to after they put you through whatever the sales pitch is.
Received DELTA Fly Away Promotion this month. Toll Free #1-888-211-0378
Same wording as many of the others this month.
Salt Lake City – got same postcard. Tipoff was “Mr & Mrs or current resident.” My wife passed away 3 yrs ago.
Got one today 6/3/2013 says, “powered by travelocity hotel gift card” , then “CONGRATULATIONS! In honor of your birthday, you will receive 2 round-trip tickets on Southwest, Jet Blue, United or a comparable airline, plus a 3-day/ 2-night weekend getaway at a hotel such as Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton… See back”. On the back it says pretty much the same thing, then “CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-514-2417 Tracking Number -0xxx”. Their address is:
CP PO Box 20839 West Palm Beach FL 33416.
Thank you for scamming me on my birthday!
Got one from Jet blue today, doesn’t anyone wonder how it is possible to for these to get into the mail stream. The Las Vegas NV. Permit No. 2736 must be valid so I guess the USPS is so hard up for cash they have decided to turn a blind eye to mail fraud.
received one today from Erie, PA. American Airlines logo. If its too good to be true, its a duck.
Just got one in NH
Received one from Delta Airlines 6/10/2013 in Lacey’s Spring,AL — It reads:
“In celebration of our new year packages we’ve selected you to receive 2 round trip airfares to anywhere in the contiguous United States – good for the next 12 months!
Call within 48 hours and receive a 3 day 2 night hotel stay at major brands.
To claim this special offer, simply call and mention your promo code BAM-xxx
Call Toll Free 1-888-746-3259
Mon-Fri 9AM-9PM Sat 10AM-4PM EST
Fine Print: All trademarks & service marks are the property of their respective owners. Offer void where prohibited by law. All components of this offer are fulfilled by a THIRD PARTY. Certain restrictions apply. Recipient responsible for all applicable taxes & fees. Please Call for details.
Return Address from Las Vegas, NV Permit NO. 2736
Received one from “Delta Fly Away Promotion” . It’s exactly as described in the other posts, and with the Delta logos it appears legit. If it weren’t for the phrase, “if its too good to be true then it probably isn’t”, running through my head I might have not done the web search which quickly led me here. Thanks to everyone for the warning!
Got one today in Long Beach, CA – Jet Blue Fly Away Promotion, 888-818-5325.
I’m guessing that “Fly-By-Night Promotion” would be more accurate.
Received in LA County, Ca
For Jet Blue
Got the postcard in the mail today. North Augusta SC
got one this week but it’s from American Airlines
I received the Delta Fly Away promotion yesterday. (Postal permit 2736 Las Vegas, Ph. 888-778-8632.) When I called Dominick explained that it was a promotion from Seabreeze Vacations and I would need to sit through a 90 minute presentation at a local hotel to get the offer, but first I had to answer a few questions. One was about household income. Mine was too low for them and I didn’t qualify. Dominick said there was another promotion if I was interested. I said no and Dominick said good bye and have a nice day.
I just received one today for “Southwest, Jet Blue, United, or a comparable airline, plus 3-day/2-night stay at Marriott, Hilton, or Hyatt.” Phone 1-855-871-6077 Postal Permit No. 1617 West Palm Beach, FL
We received on. Located in Syracuse, NY.
Just got one from Jet Blue
Free 2 round trip tickets
Call within 48 hours to get a hotel
1888-818-5325
In Long Beach, CA, Jet Blue, 2 free round trip tickets, plus the 3 day 2 night hotel stay. I was always told “if it sounds too good…..”well you guys just helped me to prove the saying. Thank you
received postcard today in Camillus, NY Jun 24, 2013
Received one from Delta Airlines 6/24/2013 — In Redford Twp MI – It reads:
“In celebration of our new year packages we’ve selected you to receive 2 round trip airfares to anywhere in the contiguous United States – good for the next 12 months!
Call within 48 hours and receive a 3 day 2 night hotel stay at major brands.
To claim this special offer, simply call and mention your promo code DR-xxx
Call Toll Free 1-888-746-3259
Mon-Fri 9AM-9PM Sat 10AM-4PM EST
Fine Print: All trademarks & service marks are the property of their respective owners. Offer void where prohibited by law. All components of this offer are fulfilled by a THIRD PARTY. Certain restrictions apply. Recipient responsible for all applicable taxes & fees. Please Call for details.
Return Address from Las Vegas, NV Permit NO. 2736
I was born on a Friday – but not last Friday!
I got the same promotion from Delta today from Las Vegas, NV Permit #2736.
My mom just got a postcard with the United Vacations logo on it. Return address is in Perrysburg, Ohio. Google Maps (thank God we have it) lists Bottomline Ink at that place, which apparently offers mailing services.
Postcard says, “Congratulations! You have been selected to receive 2 Round Trip Airfares to Las Vegas leaving from Honolulu International Airport. Call within 48 hours. You will also receive as a bonus 3 day 2 night hotel stay!” with the phone number 1-877-291-9729. The front of the card has a picture of a United jet and “This offer is provided by Frontier Travel.” Did I mention that we also live in Hawaii and LV is a very popular destination?
got Delta version today – don’t understand why Delta does not go after these folks for brand damage or the post office for mail fraud ??